PUBLIC MEETING AT DOYLESTON

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LXII, Issue 18, 7 March 1941, Page 6

PUBLIC MEETING AT DOYLESTON

PLATOON TO BE FORMED

A public meeting was held at

Doyleston last night for tlie pur"pose of forming a platoon of the Home Guard. There was a good attendance of men from the district while a platoon from the Home Guard at Leeston under the command of Mr H. D. Jones, was present. After the meeting enrolment forms were circulated and were readily signed and there is no doubt that before long the Doyleston platoon will be in active training.

Mr J. Goss, chairman of the district recruiting committee, presided .and briefly explained the purpose of the meeting.

Mr R. T. McMillan, chairman of the Ellesmere Home Guard Committee said that a meeting had not been called earlier on account of the harvest. When the guard was first formed, platoons were made at Leeston, Southbridge and Dunsandel, while one was later formed for the Irwell-Brookside district. These had all been gradually built up, the total strength being now close on 300. It was very encouraging to see the way the platoons were carrying out their work, and the officers and men were enthusiastic and keenly interested in their training. He hoped that, all the men in the Doyleston district who were reasonably fit and able to carry out the training would join up with the platoon. He had no doubt that a good one could be set up if the way the men had turned out to the meeting was any indication. There was also every possibility of another platoon being formed at Lakeside. Some men would be required for E.P.S. work and no doubt '> some of the older men might prefer to be in this rather than in the Home Guard, and this could easily be arranged. Mr McMillan pointed out that the Home Guard and the E.P.S. were two separate organisations and no man could be in both. It was anticipated that before long uniforms would be provided for the Home Guard who were also to be equipped with rifles. Some rifles, for training purposes, had that day been sent to Leeston. He wished the Home Guard every success and hoped that the platoon to be formed at Doyleston would make as good progress as those in other parts of the district.

The group commander, Mr W. S. McLaughlin, also spoke. First of all

he thanked Mr Jones and the Leeston guardsmen for their help in the meeting. Answering the question: Was the Home Guard worth while? he said that men who were in the best position to judge considered that it was urgently necessary that every man in New Zealand should fit himself for service for the country. At any time now the war might flare up with unparalleled fierceness and the next six months would be a time of great testing in which no one could forecast what would happen. The war might spread to the Pacific and he added that the words "Australia" and "New Zealand" had been mentioned by Japanese statesmen. If any disaster happened to the British or American fleets, or if Singapore were rendered useless the Pacific would be at the mercy of Japanese raiders and it might even go to the length of an invasion of these islands. A large force well protected by transports would be necessary for this, and while two years ago the Dominion might have been easy meat for an invader, it was not so now. This country had a wellequipped territorial force and if every civilian could be trained in the Home Guard this would materially increase the strength of the defence, and would make the chances of an invader very difficult indeed. But every man was needed in the Home Guard to train for the defence of his own home and country. There was much the guard could do to train and prepare itself for this work, even if it did not have equipment so that when rifles were issued the men would ibe in a position to learn how to use them [effectively. The Home Guard had started in a small way, but it was daily increasing in strength and efficiency, but there was still much to be done. He hoped that in Ellesmere group companies would be formed at Leeston, Dunsandel and Southbridge; and platoons at Doyleston and at other ! centres. Most probably the Doyleiston platoon would be attached to the Leeston company, but it Would do all elementary instruction in its own centre and would join up with the company for drill in the more advanced stages. Mr McLaughlin impressed upon the meeting the necessity for being prepared for any emergency. Even if a shot were not fired, the Home Guard will have been worth while, for the objective of its formation is to prevent an invasion or raid. No man who joined the. Guard would ever »lose by it, for the training received and comradeships formed would more than compensate for the time spent in training. Men who were already serving enjoyed the training received. No man with a full sense

of responsibility would fail to do what he could for the defence of his home and country.

Mr H. D. Jones said it was a pleasure for the Leeston men to go to Doyleston. He said that the unit had now a strength of 107 and at last parade 87 answered their names. The roll was increasing every week. There were ten or a dozen men from Doyleston drilling at Leeston and no doubt these would transfer to .the unit to be formed at Doyleston. The Leeston unit would give all assistance it could to Doyleston and its officers and n.c.o.'s were willing to help in the training if desired. Every effort was made to make the duties and training as interesting as posisible. Guardsmen were drilling with i enthusiasm artd keenness and he pointed out that it was essential that every man should pull his own weight so that the unit should | become efficient as quickly as possible. There was a job for all and there were no class distinctions. The old rifle range had been inspected, could be put in order without much difficulty and the property owner was willing to give any help he could in this matter. A range up to 300 yards could be provided and this would enable the units to obtain some useful shooting practice.

Mr McLaughlin explained the obligations and duties of the Home Guard on the lines of previous statements.

Those present readily responded to the invitations to enrol and there is no doubt that a unit will soon be functioning in Doyleston.

PLATOON PARADES ON MONDAY Practically every man in the room enrolled. These, together with the; men already with the Leeston unit were sufficient to form a platoon. It was decided to parade at the hall every Monday evening at 7.30 o'clock. New members will be welcomed and may join at the parades.